The headline figure for wage growth of 4.5% in late 2020 – the highest level in almost two decades – is too good to be true, according to the Resolution Foundation. The thinktank argues the furlough scheme and job losses for lower-paid workers have skewed the data. The organisation’s Earnings Outlook states that earnings growth was far weaker than data suggests. In fact, the median pay rise among individual workers was just 0.6% in the third quarter of 2020, a real-terms pay

When discussing investments or reading the news, you may have heard the phrase “rebalancing”. It’s an important part of making sure your portfolio continues to reflect your goals, but it can be overlooked or misunderstood. Read on to learn what rebalancing involves and why it’s part of investment strategies. Investing: A long-term game Before we start looking at rebalancing, it’s important to understand how and why we invest with a long-term strategy. It can be tempting to bu

It’s been a year since lockdown was first announced in the UK in order to slow the spread of Covid-19. While restrictions have varied over the last 12 months, they have significantly affected daily life. If you’ve been feeling stressed or anxious recently, you’re not alone, and a new hobby to focus on could relieve some of the pressure. More than two-thirds of adults in the UK report feeling somewhat or very worried about the effect Covid-19 is having on their life, according

2020 was an eventful year. The pandemic and subsequent lockdowns around the world had a huge impact on life, which inevitably affected stock markets and investment portfolios. The stock market volatility experienced a year ago will be fresh in the mind of investors, but the crash wasn’t unique. Investors have experienced ups and down for centuries Technology has made investing easier than ever and gives investors far more choice, but the basics have been around for centuries.

The tax year may have only just begun, but now is the perfect time to start thinking about the next 12 months. This tax year ends on April 5 2022, with the weeks before the deadline often associated with making financial decisions to use up allowances. From moving money into an ISA, to investing through Venture Capital Trusts, using allowances can help reduce tax liability and make your money go further. In some cases, leaving decisions until the last minute can make sense, b

Winter is behind us and it’s that time of the year when people give their homes a spring clean. But don’t just focus on tidying up your material possessions – take some time to clean up your finances too. It could help get you on track for the coming tax year, as well as boost your savings. Here are ten financial tasks you can use to spruce up your finances: 1. Refresh your household budget Even if your finances are comfortable, reviewing your budget at regular intervals can